Categories of Water Involved in a Water Loss

There are three different types of categories that classify the type of water involved in all water loss situations.

Knowing and understanding these categories helps you and the restoration professional know what precautions may need to be taken on the job site.

“Not all water is the same, and it is important to know that there is no set way to classify water. It is also important to know that water will not remain in the same category; as time passes it will become more contaminated slowly turning into a “black” water situation.”

Category 1: “Clean” Water – Clean water is just that, water that doesn’t pose any harm when it comes in contact with living elements and doesn’t contain any contaminants.
Clean water comes from a potable supply line. If water has passed through or come in contact with other areas it may mix with soils and other contaminants from walls, decking, sub flooring, floor coverings and other building materials, making it no longer potable.
If “clean” water is left alone over time it will harbor growth of bacteria and will become “gray” or “black” water.

Category 2: “Gray” Water – Gray water is unsanitary and contains levels of contamination that would not be safe for consumption.

It contains harmful microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms that will help gray water become black water if not attended to quickly. This type of water is dangerous and clean up should only be done by a trained professional.